Forge Cottages, Leith Hill Lane, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking
Historic building recording by M Henderson of HB Archaeology & Conservation Ltd during repairs to the south gable of the late 17th century main range.
Historic building recording by M Henderson of HB Archaeology & Conservation Ltd during repairs to the south gable of the late 17th century main range.
Test pit evaluation by R Bradley of Worcestershire Archaeology along the proposed route of a fish pass revealed a series of archaeological deposits forming an alluvial sequence consistent with the location of the site in a waterlogged landscape, adjacent to a managed watercourse. While the dating of the alluvial formation remains uncertain, with the exception of a single prehistoric flint flake, the majority of the diagnostic finds from the test pits related to activity from the mid-18th to early 20th centuries.
A metal detector survey by T Schofield and M Sommers of Suffolk Archaeology Community Interest Company recovered artefacts including munitions and domestic items within the partially extant buildings of the former Second World War military camp.
Watching brief by S Nelson of EEHAS during the construction of a disabled access ramp to the Church House, in the north-west of the churchyard, revealed considerable modern disturbance, possibly associated with the construction of the building. Post-medieval glass and pottery were recovered from the disturbed deposit together with a small assemblage of disarticulated animal and human bone. The latter represents at least two individuals, one of whom had a pathological growth on the lower leg, possibly from disease or trauma.
Watching brief by R Watts of AOC revealed sections of three brick structures, all probably related to drainage provision and of recent date. Considerable truncation was recorded and although the natural, an orange/brown silty clay and gravel mix, was revealed across the extent of the groundworks, no finds or features of archaeological interest were revealed.
A magnetometer survey by R Davies of ADAS on the site of a new car park revealed two possible linear features of archaeological origin; however, the presence of significant amounts of ferrous material may have masked other archaeological features. A subsequent watching brief by S Dalby and J McNicoll-Norbury of the same unit, revealed the foundations of a 19th century gymnasium known from cartographic evidence but no other finds or features of archaeological interest. The possible linear features noted from the geophysical survey were not identified.
Visit by M Higgins of the DBRG/SCC to consider whether further recording would be valuable. Southwood Manor Farm House is a large building now divided into three. Number three is the right-hand portion comprising the majority of a timber-framed wing; a narrow timber-framed range comprising two builds each of three bays, mostly floored. Neither of these appears to be a complete house and it is likely that it has always served a support function to the attached farmhouse. The rear three bays have smoke-blackened timbers and a side purlin roof of a late medieval character.